A Mendon woman left for dead by a hit-and-run driver on Route 4 Friday night was a mother, beloved girlfriend and nursing student who was preparing to work with the elderly, according to her friends and boss.

At 45, Drury Morgan had a 17-year-old son taking classes in Woodstock, but she was about to begin a career she had long wanted to pursue as a licensed nursing assistant, according to boyfriend Andy Blanchard of Mendon.

“She was taking courses at Stafford Technical Center and she was almost done. She wanted to work in a nursing home,” said Blanchard, who struggled to maintain his composure during a telephone interview Saturday. “She said it was what she was put here to do because she really loved it.’’

Vermont State Police are still looking for the driver of one of the two vehicles that struck Morgan as she crossed Route 4 at 5:18 p.m. Friday.

Police said she was struck first by a dark-colored station wagon or hatchback — possibly green — that was described as being similar to a Subaru. The driver of this vehicle drove away without stopping, police said.

Morgan was then hit by a Honda CR-V driven by Joseph Ferrara of Huntington Station, N.Y., who stopped after the accident.

Despite the efforts of rescuers who tried to resuscitate her, Morgan died at the scene, police said.

No charges were brought against Ferrara, 50, who immediately called police after hitting Morgan.

But a state police sergeant at the scene Friday night said the driver of the other car would face, at minimum, a criminal charge of leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

No additional information was released by the police Saturday and the trooper investigating the crash couldn’t be reached for comment.

Blanchard asked anyone with information about the crash or the identity of the driver to come forward.

“A normal person wouldn’t even leave a dog or cat on the road,” he said. “I’m very, very angry. I’m sure it was an accident, but I’m also sure they knew they hit her. I only hope and pray that they come forward.”

Investigators said Morgan was wearing dark clothing and may have been drinking before she crossed the three-lane highway.

But her boss at the Mendon Mountain View Lodge, where she had gone to pick up her paycheck, said Morgan acted responsibly Friday afternoon.

General manager Patrick Boandl said that based on the observations of Mountain View staff, Morgan may have been drinking before she arrived by bus at the lodge. But he said she drank soda in the lounge for 45 minutes before she left.

Boandl said Morgan was crossing the highway to get to the bus stop on the other side when she was struck and killed.

“She was a nice lady and a good worker and we’re all very sorry,” Boandl said.

Morgan worked as a waitress and housekeeper at the lodge. Boandl had hired her in October to help reopen Mountain View, which had been empty and on the market for seven months.

Boandl said the staff at the lodge planned to attend Morgan’s funeral, which has not yet been scheduled. He said the lodge’s owner plans to donate to a fund being established for Morgan’s son.